Indacaterol for COPD

About indacaterol

Indacaterol is called a bronchodilator, as it widens (dilates) your airways. It is intended to be used regularly to relieve airways-related problems in people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by opening up the air passages in your lungs so that air can flow into your lungs more freely. This helps to ease symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and feeling breathless.

Use indacaterol every day. It is a long-acting bronchodilator, which means that it works throughout the day. It is prescribed to reduce your symptoms over the long term - it is not a rescue treatment for sudden breathlessness.

One brand of indacaterol inhaler (called Ultibro®) also contains another bronchodilator medicine called glycopyrronium. Indacaterol is also available with a corticosteroid called mometasone in the brand Atectura®. You could be prescribed one of these combination brands to help reduce the number of inhalers you need to use.

Before using indacaterol

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using indacaterol it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si tiene problemas de corazón o de vasos sanguíneos, o si tiene un ritmo cardiaco irregular.

• Si tiene la tensión alta.

• Si tiene una glándula tiroides hiperactiva.

• Si padece diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

• Si un médico le ha dicho que tiene niveles bajos de potasio en sangre.

• Si tiene ataques o epilepsia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de su hígado.

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o dando el pecho. Esto se debe a que es especialmente importante que su respiración esté bien controlada si está embarazada.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to use indacaterol

• Before using the inhaler device, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about indacaterol, a diagram to remind you how to use and clean your inhaler device and a full list of side-effects which you could experience from using it.

• Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and make sure that you know how to use your inhaler properly. If you are not sure, ask your nurse, doctor or pharmacist to show you.

• Use the inhaler regularly, once every day. There are two strengths of Onbrez® capsules - 150 mg and 300 mg. Your doctor will tell you which dose is right for you. Just as a reminder - the capsules must not be swallowed. They are to be used with the inhaler device only.

• Try to use your inhaler at the same time each day, as this will help you to remember to use it regularly. If you ever forget to use the inhaler at your usual time, use it as soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember until the following day, do not 'double up' your next dose to make up for the forgotten one.

Instrucciones de uso del inhalador

1. Remove the cap. Hold the base of the inhaler device and tilt the mouthpiece. This opens the inhaler.

2. Take a capsule from the blister packaging and put it into the capsule chamber of the inhaler. Close the inhaler - you will hear it click.

3. Hold the inhaler upright and press both side buttons at the same time. You should hear a click as the capsule is pierced. Then release the side buttons.

4. Breathe out and then put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips firmly around it.

5. Breathe in deeply and hold your breath for around 5-10 seconds. Then breathe out.

6. Remove the empty capsule, close the inhaler and then replace the cap.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Intente acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. De este modo, su médico podrá revisar su estado periódicamente.

• No fume. Fumar irrita y daña los pulmones y empeora su enfermedad. Si tiene dificultades para dejar de fumar, consulte a su médico o enfermera.

• If you find that your symptoms are getting worse, continue to use your inhaler but also contact your doctor or nurse for further advice.

• Si padece diabetes, es posible que deba controlar su nivel de glucosa en sangre con más frecuencia, ya que el inhalador podría afectar a los niveles de azúcar en sangre. Su médico le aconsejará al respecto.

Can indacaterol cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with indacaterol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your inhaler device. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse al inhalador, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store indacaterol

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos